Hammerson becomes one of 16 leading European companies to sign up to new energy efficiency commitment

Hammerson becomes one of 16 leading European companies to sign up to new energy efficiency commitment

3 Dec 2015

​Today marks the signing of a new commitment for Hammerson as Leading Built Environment businesses commit to work together to deliver ultra low energy buildings. As part of COP21, Hammerson has signed the Moving Towards Net Zero Buildings Commitment

Energy efficient buildings will help unlock productivity and boost EU innovation and low-carbon economy. Hammerson and 15 other leading European companies from across the built environment have made a new energy efficiency commitment today for the buildings supply chain, to help drive delivery of ‘nearly zero energy buildings’ (nZEB) for new build by 2020, and refurbished buildings by 2030.

“Establishing a forum for purposeful collaboration between businesses across the property supply chain is a major achievement. It has the potential to drive significant results in our immediate challenge of limiting the damaging effects of climate change. The range of businesses represented already within this commitment is clear evidence in itself of the commercial sense that lies within tackling urgently this most pressing problem. Hammerson looks forward to work with our fellow signatories to bring about real change.”

David Atkins, CEO, Hammerson

Moving Towards Net Zero Buildings

The ‘Moving towards net zero buildings’ commitment, initiated by The Prince of Wales’s Corporate Leaders Group, and signed by Hammerson, aims to deliver ultra low energy buildings. It comes in response to a lack of co-ordinated approach across the built environment sector in the delivery of energy efficient buildings. EU regulation states that by 31 December 2020 all new buildings must be nZEBs.

The commitment has been signed by 15 other leading organisations representing different sectors of the property sector supply chain, including: Acciona, British Land, Doosan, Ferrovial, GlaxoSmithKline, Heathrow, Interface, JLL, Kingfisher, Land Securities, Lloyd’s Banking Group, Philips, Skanska, Sky and Tesco.

The property sector has a huge role to play in delivering a low carbon economy across the EU – contributing approximately 40% of total carbon emissions. In recognition of this, the first ever ‘Buildings Day’ as part of the Lima Paris Action Agenda is being held at COP21 on 3 December, where this commitment was unveiled.

The pledge outlines several actions that the signatories commit to, including:

Driving down energy intensity across corporate property estates;

Committing to the 2020 goals of nZEB for new buildings and further action on renovation by 2030 as well as transparently reporting on progress against this;

Collaborating across the supply chain to set sector specific targets and goals; and

Continuing to engage with policy makers on policy, progress, reporting and performance of zero energy goals

The commitment simultaneously calls for action from the EU and Member States to support delivery of these commitments through a range of measures, including a stable long term sector plan for emissions reductions and a consistent programme of public sector involvement in low carbon and energy efficiency technologies.